Cell-case machine.



J. STARMAN.

CELL CASE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED PEB.21, 1911.

1,110,656, Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

3 SHEE HEET 1, (5&5 J

f v mg.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTD-LITHCL, WASHINGTON, D4 0,

J. STARMAN.

CELL CASE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 133.21, 1911.

1,1 1%,656, Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

Z? 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

" J. STARMAN.

CELL GA$E MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOK FILED IBB..21, 1911.v

1,1 10,656. Patented Sept. 15,1914

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3\ THE NOIIi'IS PETERS 60.. PHO'ID-LITHQ, WASHINGYUN, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH sTARMAN,, oF CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, ASSIGNOR T0 NORTHSTAR MANUFAC- TUBING. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CELL-CASE MACHINE;

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH STARMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cedar Rapids, in the county of Linn and State of, Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cell-Case Machines, of

which the following is a specification.

' This invention relates toimproved means, in a filler making machine, for feeding and assembling the filler elements or webs which are commonly used in packing cases, such,

for instance, as are used forshipping eggs.

In my pending application No. 601,149, filed January 6, 1911, I have disclosed means for punching and shearing filler elements and feeding them to a rotatory assembling mechanism from which. the complete filler is ejected ready for use. The machine as a whole is generally symmetrical in form and is provided on each enduwith a punching and shearingmechanism for the two kinds of elements, respectively, which in the assembled filler extend crosswise of each other and are interlocked in position. Inthecentral part of the machine thereis a vertically arranged assembling mechanism, having an endless chain on which carrier" trays or assembling forms are mounted for receiving the filler elements. The elements are fed successively to these trays from oppositesides of the central mechanism as the said trays pass first upwardly on one side and then downwardly on the other side, respec tively, in their course of rotation on the said chain. The trays are given a quarter turn at the topmost point so as to bring the filler elements coming from one side crosswise to those from the other side of the ma shine. The completed fillers are ejected from the assembling trays when theyreach a position at the bottom of the machine. When the empty trays are still at their lowermost, position they are again given a quarter turn, bringing them back to their original position ready for another set of filler elements. Cylindrical sets of feeder disks having suitable fingers thereon are mounted on each side of the assembling apparatus and convey the said filler elements from the respective punching presses to the assembling device and deposit them in a definite way interlocking with oneanother on the said trays. Suitable fingers mount- Speeifi cation of Letters Patent. 1 Patentedsept 15 1914 Application filed February 21, 1911. Serial N 0. 610,089.

Hitherto the said rock shaft being substantially the same in both directions forward and backward'without' regard any part of for any special acceleration in their motion. j The principal object of my present invention is to provide improved mechanism for transferring the filler elements from the conveying disk mechanism to the assembling trays.

Another prime object is to increase the speed and resultant output of the machine by applying spring actuation to the transferrmg fingers. I also aim to greatly accela erate the motion of said fingers periodically in a certain part of their movement, thereby i enabling greater speed and output. 7 Other objects of my invention relate to simplicity of construction, economy of manufacture and facility for use.

, With these and other objects in view, as

will be more fully set forth and made apparent, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts. My invention is more fully disclosed by reference to the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of that-part of the machine which comprises mechanism for conveying the filler elements from the punch press on the left (but not here shown) to,

the assembling trays on the right. It should beunderstood that this mechanism is substantially duplicated on the opposite side of the central assembling device, though it is deemed sufficient for my present purpose to show one sideonly. Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the mechanism which controls the action of the fingers which slide the filler elements from the conveyer disks tothe assembling trays, said fingers being shown, as in Fig. 1', in their actuated position, adjacent the assembling trays. Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the main part of the said fingerfromthe trays. Fig. 4is similar to Fig. 3,

controlling mechanism, the pitman rod be-v ing thrust inward toward the center and the oscillatory-fingers being turned back away exceptthe pitman rod is withdrawn, 'as'in Figs. 1 and 2,instead of thrustgforward. Fig. 5 shows infront elevation an enlarged detail, partly in section, of the rock shaft mechanism which controls the transfer gers. Fig. 6 isan enlarged vertical sectlon across the bracket hub upon which the cushioning plunger seats when the transfer fin gers are actuated. Fig. .7. is an enlarged side I elevation ofthe mechanism ,connectedwto the i frontrend of the rock shaft on which thei transfer fingers are mounted, facing toward thelefton Fig. 1. Fig. 8 .is an enlarged.

, longitudinal section through the front end .of the rock'shaft and controlling mechanism along theline 8 of Fig. 4.

In all of the drawingslike reference nu- 'merazls refer to like parts.

':I will at this point particularly describe hQSeflparts of themachine which are di-' rectly related to my present invention.

In Fig. l is shownia, central portion of the main framell on which the various parts are mounted. Theconveyer mechanism des- I iignated ,12 is rotatably mounted on ,a shaft 13having adjustable bearings 14' suitably mounted ,on said frame .11. At one side of the. ,conveyer is shown a portioniof" an endless chain 15 on which the assembling tion, and the other set comprisingadjustable 1 but; non-rotatable disks held stationary by the corresponding arms 20 extendingthere from on the side opposite that traversedby the filler-elements 21.v These disks are arrangedalternately on the shaft 13, a rota-' table, disk 19 being in front, and the others not being shown in the'drawings herewith.

In Fig. 1 the trays equipped with fingers 51 are shown bearing a set of vertically p'ositioned filler elements 22 descending on one j side of the assembling device. Here the trays are receiving the second set of elements 21 which are inserted crosswise of the elements 22, the latter "having been set in place. from the other side of the assembling frame at a time when these particular trays wvere moving upward, and the tray having" been given alquarter turnwhen at the to'p" of its course. The trays 16 are r tatably mounted on the chain 15 by means of pivotal bolts 23. .Toothed segments 24 on each of said trays are adapted to co-act with a corresponding My invention relates particularly to this tached. Near the frontend of the shaft 27 rack at the top and bottom of the frame so as to .give the trays a quarter; turn in pass- I is the conveyer; here shown, bearing fingers 18, rotates in a "clockwise direction (Fig. 1) filler elements'21 are successively brought opposite slots in the elements 22 held by fingers 51 on the trays 16, whereupon they are pushed forward by fingersauto matically from the former into engagement with-the 'latterand carried downward in completely assembled condition.

' In order to slide the elements 21 out from between fingers 1-8. and into engagement with elements 22 at the moment they come into adjacent positions, a set,of long resilient fingers 26 are provided. These fingers are attached at one end to a rock shaft 27 and are arranged to rest normally between the disks of conveyer 12. Means are provided to periodically turn said rock shaft 1 and thereby oscillate .said fingers forward and backward, thereby transferringa pair of elements '21 ,at' each oscillation forward.

finger oscillating mechanism. In the .pre- Q ferred embodiment of my invention this oscillating-mechanism comprises a shaft 27 on whichuthe fingers 26 are mounted, a bracket 48 depending from the frame 11 for supporting the saidshaft, a spring 40 tending to rotate the shaft 27 in a clockwise direction, (referring to'Fig. 1) aratchet hub. element 30 keyed to; said shaft,a segmental web or crank .hub element 28grotatablyypiv oted on said hub 80 and concentric therewith, a pawl 31 on said element 28 adapted to engage said element 30, a'pitman r'od 29.- pivotedat one end to said element 28 and adapted to oscillate same, 'said' pitman being connected at its other end to an eccentric 53 attached to the shaft 52 which is driven by any suitableimeans, as from the main drive shaft ofthe machine, and another element 34 of the nature of a-pawl adapted to-normally lock with and hold said element 30 from actuation by the tension of the spring 40, and adapted to release when forced backward by an element 57 attached to the 'segmen't28.

The fingers 26 are fastened directlyto the j shaft 27 which-though round'at its bearing 9 has a'smooth side where the fingers are atare attached transversely two arms 47 and 4-8. Arm 47 extends upward parallel to the fingers, and has attached to it a fastener 42 to which is attached oneendof-a spring 40, the other end being held by a pin 41 on-the frame 11 at the right (on Fig. 1). a The other arm 43 extends tothe right and on its outer endsupports'a spring cushion c0mprising the bolt 44 fitting loosely in the end of arm 43 and a spring 45 one end of which bears on the arm 43 and the other against the head 44 of'b'olt- 44. Adjustment ofthe spring tension may beobtained by means The ratchet hub element 30 comprises a sleeve portion 30 keyed to the shaft 27 and a radial web element integral with the rear portion thereof. This web part has a radial ratchet notch 61 on one side and a thin strip 55, attached to its opposite outer peripheral edge, said notch. and strip being adapted to engage pawl elements 31 and. g

' immediately moved backclearsof rod 34.

34 respectively, as hereinafter described.

The pawl bearing hub" element 28 comprises a cylindrical portion 28' fitting freely on sleeve 30 of element 30 concentric therewith and with the shaft 27, a and a radial web portion integral with the rear end of 28 but extending on one side only, theihub part extending on the other side substantially fiush with the outer edge of the web on element 30. This is best shown in Figs. 7

and 8. The deep segmental web of element 28 on one corner bears a pawl 31, pivoted on a pin 32 and adapted to be held by spring 33 against the outer edge of web 30 and at. times in engagement with notch 61 on SELld.

web 30. On the opposite corner at 56 is pivoted one end ofthe pitman 29 which is reciprocated by the eccentric 53 on shaft 52. On the opposite sidev of element 28 on the inner end of the hub part'28 is adjustably attached a strip 57 held preferably by screws 58 set in the slot 59. Integral with the upper end of the said strip 57 is across element 57 extending back over the strip 55 which is attached to the web of element 30. An end plate 37 is attached to the outer end of hub 30 and serves to hold the hub 28 in place.

The'rod 34 serves substantially as a pawl and engages element 30. It is pivoted at its lower end on pin 38 attached to the frame 11. This rod is pressed against web 30 by a spring 35 which reacts against pin 36 ion bracket 46. A strip 60 is attached to rod 34 near the upper end on the side=toward the rock shaft. This strip 60 is substantially integral with rod 34 and is adapted to slip under and engage strip 55 whenele ment 30 is rocked back far'enough to so ,per

mit, as whenin its normal position.- This rod 34 extends upward sufficiently to engage farthest withdrawn and the transfer fingers 26 are to be rocked forward by spring 40.

My improved rock bar oscillating mechanism operates as follows: When two sets of loaded disk fingers 18 come into the properposition forhaving their load transferred to an assembling tray, the pitman reaches such a position in its outwardmove ment that the cross element 57 on the oscillating web 28 engages the rod 34 and presses it backward so as. to disengage strip 60 thereon from under strip 55 on the web of element30, as best shown in Fig. 4. This releases. hub30 and lets the rock shaft spring the fingers26 forward under the influence oft-spring 40, until cushion bolt 44 seats against stud46 and notch 61 approaches nearly or quite intoje'ngagement with pawl 31. Then, as'thewmotionaof pitman29 and webgj28 reverses, the cross element 57 :is

The pawl 31 will definitelyengage notch 61..

and force element 30 and with ittherock shaft 27 back; tothe. normal position against. the tension ofspring :40. The spring 35- tends to press the said rod 34 back against element 30. Asithe rock shaft elements approachtheirrnormal withdrawn position the a strip 55'on element30'is carried upward far enough to permit, strip 60 on rod 34 to advance and engage therewith on'. its under side thus locking the rock {shaft against another forwardturn until the web of element 28 has again advanced far enough to causethe strip 57 to again force back and unlock the rod 34 from engagement with element, 30. ;When, however, element 28 has swung.

outward again and element 57 engages pawl 34 the spring 40 quickly actuates the rock shaft 27 again. Thus the oscillationis pe riodically recurrent according to a fixed cycle of events morefor less subject to ad-w larly described some embodiment of my invention,=I do not wish to limit myself to the precise constructions'as herein shown and particularly described, as many modification's may be made bylthose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention. 5

.I claim as my. invention 1. In atransferring mechanism for cell case machines, a conveyer, trays adjacent thereto, means formovingsaid trays, and

means for transferring filler elements from.

said conveyer tosaid trays, said means being'actuated quickly a ln-its transferring movement and a slowly. in the; reverse direction. 3

case machines, arotary conveyer,- and endless '2. In atransferring mechanism for cell means for movling said trays pastsaid conveyer,.and oscill atorymeans for transferr ng filler elements from' sa'id conveyer to said trays, said: means being actuated morespeedily in one direction than theother. I

a In a cell-case machine, the combination of'a rotary conveyer'; trays'adjacent theretog fingers between said conveyer and trays; aWro'ck shaft on which :said' fingers are' mounted; aspring to actuate said shaft in onerdiirection; and other'means to actuate said shaft in. the opposite direction;

I 4. 1 In a cell case machine, the combination ofa rotary conveyer for carrying :fi ller elements; an endless set of filler assembling trays adjacent theretog means for moving said trays .a plurality of transferring fingers adapted to actuate "between said conveyer and trays; a rock shaft on-whichsa'id fingers are mounted; a spring attached to actuate said Ishaft in' one direction; and other means comprising ratchet and pawlmechanism to actuate said shaft-in the opposite direction.

5.v In a cell case machine, the combination of a rotary conveyer; achain'of trays passing adjacent to said conveyer; fingers positioned between said conveyer and trays; a

rock shaft on which said'fingers are mount-' ed bearings, for said shaft; a ratchet hub .element rigidly attached to saidshaftypawl a continuously-moving I series of trays passing adjacent to said conveyer; means'on said conveyer andtrays to carry filler ele-' ments; a plurality offingers positioned between said'conveyer and trays; a rock shafton which said fingers are mounted bearings for said shaft; apawl-engaging'ratchet hub shaft, pawl elements ee-acting with said pawl-engaging element; and separate ele-- element substantially integral with said ments tendingto oscillate said shaft in oppocase-machines, the combination-of a rotary conveyer, assembling trays ad acent thereto,

site directions, one acting slowly and the o Y spring means.-

7; In a cell caselmachine, the comb'ination' 1 of .a' rotary con-veyer; trays adjacent there-' other quickly;

to; fingers between said eonveyer and trays; a rock shaft onwhich said fingers are mounted; a springto actuate said shaft in one direction; a reeiprocatorv ratchet and-pawl mechanism to rock said shaft in the opposite said shaft in its restored'position.

direction; and means to lock andtounlock means for movin'g said trays past said conveyer, automatic means for transferring v filler elements-from; sa1dconveyer to 831d 8; 1 In as transferring mechanism 'for cell itrays, said-means comprising a rock shaft, bearings therefor, fingers mounted fthereon, a springyadapted tolrock said shaft and oscillate saidzfingers from a position adjacent i saidlconveyer :to 1 a position adj aeent said gtrays, a reciproeatory' ratchet and 1 pawl mechanism adapted to rock said shaft and oscillate said fingers in theopposite direction, meanslto rloek said shaft in its'restored position, and means to periodically disengage said lock.

-9. Ina cell case machine, the

for. transferring the stripsfrom said 0on5 combination of a serles of forms, a conveyerar'ranged-to present strips to SFMd 'fOITDS, andflmechanlsm veyer to said forms comprisinga transfer l'lllg" device, 'spring means for moving said device in the di rec-tionzof its transferring movement,- means; for positively moving said i device in the opposite direction, andm'eans for locking sald devlce andwfor releaslng the device to'movement by said spring means.

10. In a cell case machine,the combination of a se'rles of forn1s, a conveyer arranged to carry strips adjacent to said forms,

and mechanism for transferring the strips:

from saidcon veyerhto 'said' forms comprising atransferring device, springmeans for moving said vdevice in avdirection'totransfer the strips, means for positively mov-ing said device'in the opposite direction, and a-locking memberarranged to hold said device in itsinitial position, said locking member be ing arranged to be withdrawn to release said transferring device to movement under'the influence of said-spring means; l

11.111 a cell case'machine, the combinatlon of an endless serles of forms, a con veyerv arranged to carry strips adjacent to said forms, a series of pivoted fingers arranged to-transfer the strips from said conveyer to said forms, spring.,meanstending to swing said fingers in a direction to transv fer the strips, means for positively swing ing said fingers in the opposite direction,

a locking member arranged to hold said fin-' gersintheir'initial position, and means forv tripping said-locking member to permit said fingersiito swing under the influence ofsaid.

12. In a cell-case machine the'combination of two continuously moving agencies:

positioned close together and :both having rows of holdersx adapted to contain. ,filler strips, and means for quickly transferring the Stripsfromone of said agencies to the other when said holders are in register, said means comprising a spring actuated transferring device and means forlocking said device against movement and for releasin'gthe de vice to permit transferring movement thereof by said spring.

. 1'3.-In1"a'cell case, machine, the combination with two agencies positioned close together, and eachadaptedtocontain filler elea,

ments, of means for quickly transferring the filler elements from one of said agencies to the other comprising a transferring device, a spring tending to move saiddevice in the direction to transfer the strips, means for moving said device in the opposite direction, a toothed member moving with said device, and a locking dog with which said member engages for holding the transferring device in its initial position, said dog being arranged to be withdrawn to permit movement of the transferring device under the influence of said spring.

14. In a cell-case machine, the comb-ination with two continuously moving instrumentalities having rows of holders arranged to contain filler elements, of mechanism for transferring the filler elements from one of said devices to the other when two opposing rows of holders are in register, said mechanism comprising a series of pivoted fingers, and means for imparting a quick swinging movement to the fingers to transfer the strips and for imparting a slower move ment to the fingers in the opposite direction.

15. In a cell case machine, the combination with two instrumentalities arranged to contain filler elements, of mechanism for transferring the filler elements from one of said instrumentalities to the other, said mechanism comprising a transferring device, spring means tending to move said decopies of this patent may be obtained for vice in the direction to transfer the filler elements, a continuously reciprocating member havlng a pawl and ratchet connection with said device for moving the latter in the opposite direction, and withdrawable means for locking said device when it ,reaches the end of such opposite movement.

16. In a cell case machine, the combination with twoinstrumentalities arranged to contain filler elements, of mechanism for transferring the filler elements from one of the instrumentalities to the other, comprising a rock shaft, fingers fixed on said shaft and arranged to transfer the filler elements, a spring tending to rock said shaft in the direction to transfer the filler elements, a

continuously oscillating member, a pawl carried thereby, a ratchet element fixed on said shaft and arranged to be engaged by said pawl for rocking said shaft in the opposite direction, a spring pressed locking member arranged to hold said shaft in approximately the position to which it is moved by said pawl, and means for tripping said locking member to release said shaft to movement under the influence of said spring. In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses. JOSEPH STARMAN. Witnesses:

J. F. SOHREINER, THno. L. VALERIUS.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of I'atents,

Washington, D. G. 

